BySimon Griver, Simon Griver
Andy Ram is confident of winning the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals doubles title, when he teams up with Max Mirnyi at the O2 Arena on Monday.
In a competition been switched to London for the first time from Shanghai, Ram will line up as part of the world’s top eight pairings.
“This is the fourth time that I have played in this end-of-season tournament for the best doubles teams and that experience gives me the confidence to go out and win it,” he said. “What will make it difficult is that I have not played with Max since the US Open in August but I still believe we are good enough to win.”
In his previous encounters, Ram partnered fellow Israeli Jonathan Erlich. The pair hope to reunite in time for the 2010 season. “We haven’t spoken about it yet to finalise details but the aim is to play together in Melbourne for the Australian Open in January.”
They won Melbourne crown in 2007 but an injury to Erlich, that left him sidelined for nearly a year, means that they will not be eligible for the main ATP tournaments next year.
“There is a question mark over my partnership with Yoni next year because unless we pick up a lot of points in Australia, then we will not be able to play together in the major events.”
Ram declined to discuss alternative options but with Mirnyi, 32, expected to retire, the Israeli will reportedly partner the Frenchman Michael Llodra in major tournaments next year if Erlich cannot play.